AI2 Incubator, which was spun out of the Allen Institute for AI in 2022, has secured $200 million in windfall computing funding that startups running its program can leverage to accelerate early development.
“Our community of hundreds of AI practitioners is hungry for computing,” said Managing Director Jacob Colker. “Many of these startups don't have the resources to train their models beyond the generic API options that are out there, hampering their ability to put points on the scoreboard and show early traction. .”
Companies participating in the AI2 Incubator portfolio or program could receive up to $1 million worth of dedicated AI-style computing in data centers owned by shadowy partners that Kolker did not name. . (However, the list of companies that can afford $200 million in production capacity is quite small.)
By the way, that partner will not receive any special treatment or access to the enterprise, other than the basics of being likely the first major computing provider used by the startup. .
“Only widespread goodwill can help these entrepreneurs get to profitability faster,” Kolker explained.
$1 million in dedicated computing goes a long way for pre-seed startups. That's where AI2 focuses (we've covered programs like WellSaid Labs, Xnor.ai, and more).
Colker suggested that even companies developing new foundational models can cover most computing needs.
“Every company has different needs, but this is more than just cloud credits. We have purpose-built machines and custom silicon. This is, as far as we know, the single largest computer allocation available to startups today. .”
The AI2 incubator has been operating since 2017, but only became independent in 2022, and although they have a friendly relationship, they are officially separate from the Seattle institute. They have helped him found more than 30 startups, and last year he raised $30 million in funding to continue his work.